bilge pump

[tomspicer]

Hi, where would be the best pace to install an electric bilge pump with an automatic switch?
Thank you

[BarryE]

I've never really had need of one, but if I were to install one it would be under the floor adjacent to the centerboard trunk where the manual bilge pump (at least on my boat) has its intake.

[tomspicer]

So in front of the daggerboard in the V area, is the manual bp in the rear of cockpit in yours on the port side?

[BarryE]

My boat is one of the early ones (#11) the bilge pump was factory mounted in the cockpit floor along the port side. Newer boats that I've seen had the pump mounted on the foot-well wall along the port side. In my installation the intake hose runs forward to a spot along side the centerboard trunk on the port side directly under the floor in front of the sink. it is accessible through the hatch under the v-berth. If it were me I'd mount an electric pump in the same place.

[tomspicer]

Our boats our close #23 but how do you get to that area I have a full floor there?

[BarryE]

With the v-berth cushions out, lift the panel that accesses the v-berth bilge area, you can then reach up into the gap alongside the centerboard trunk under the floor on both sides of the trunk. That's where my bilge hose intake is. A little extra water always seems to collect there. Not much, I usually mop it up with a sponge and small bucket.

[tomspicer]

Thank you.

[Jeffrey]

Best to find out where the water is coming from! These boats should be dry. If water is only in the bilge area then this could be a small leak in a through hull, or if the V berth cushions are wet then, it could be bow stanchions, running lights or front hatch may be leaking. Good luck!! Jeff

[BarryE]

Several little leaks; the optional opening portholes, my third set of home made hatch boards, some fittings that need re-bedding, etc. Generally the boat is dry and only picks up sponge load after a real severe rain.